GENUS 80. GALLINULA. GALINULE. 



SPECIES 1. G. MARTINICA. 



MARTINICO GALLINULE.* 



[Plate LXXIIL Fig. 2.] 



Gallinula Martinica, LATH. Ind. Orn.p. 769, 9. Gen. Syn. m,p. 

 255, 7, pi. SS.Fulica Martinica, LINN. Syst. ed. 12, i, ^.259, 

 7. Fulica Martinicensis, GMEL. Syst. p- 700, 7. La petite 

 Poule-Sultane, BRISS. Orn. v, p. 526, /?/. 42,/g. 2. BUFF. Ois. 

 8, p. 206. La Favourite de Cayenne, PL Enl. JVo. 897, young? 

 PEALE'S Museum JVo. 4294. 



THIS splendid bird is a native of the southern parts of the 

 continent of North America. I have never learnt that it migrates 

 as far north as Virginia, though it is probable that it may be 

 occasionally seen in that state. It makes its appearance, in the 

 Sea-islands of Georgia, in the latter part of April; and after 

 spending the summer, it departs, with its young; in the autumn. 

 The marshes of Mexico appear to be its winter residence. It 

 frequents the rice fields and fresh water ponds, in company with 

 the Common Gallinule; but the latter, being of a more hardy 

 nature, remains all winter, both in Georgia and Florida. 



During its migration, this bird is frequently driven to sea, 

 and I have known two or three instances of its having sought 

 refuge on board of vessels. On the 24th May, 1824, a brig ar- 

 rived at Philadelphia, from New Orleans, bringing a fine living 

 specimen, which had flown on board of her in the Gulf-stream. 

 This bird is now alive in the Philadelphia Museum. 



In the month of August, 1818, a storm drove another indi- 

 vidual on board of a vessel, in her passage from Savannah to 

 Philadelphia. This also lived for some time in Peale's Museum. 



* Named in the plate Purple Gallinule. 



